Making compost is a simple process that is not expensive and requires little effort and attention. Desert composting may require a little more care.
Composting has been used for as long as humans have been involved in agriculture. This English word originates from, the Latin compositus, which means the making of a single substance using many pieces. Other words which are derived from the same root are compose and composition.
Composting emulates the natural process of creating soil through the interaction of many elements (rock particles, minerals, water, air, microbes and macro-organisms, and others).
Composting bins
In order to begin the process of making compost from raw materials, the gardener will need a bin. There are a number of different types of composting bins:
Homemade wire bin. This is a bin made up of heavy gauge wire, sometimes referred to as field fence or hog wire. The wire should be at least three feet high and the roll should be long enough to create a cylinder at least three feet in diameter. For optimum temperatures, make the diameter a little wider. Make the circle, cut the wire to the desired length, and then snip it and connect the snipped tines to the other end of the wire. Voila. You have a three-foot high by three foot in diameter bin. You can also buy plastic-coated field wire, which will last longer.
Wooden bin. These are commercially available or can be built. Simply build one to three bins, three feet square and three feet high, open at both ends. You can get as fancy or as simple as you would like. Some compost bins are made from discarded loading pallets, while others are built of weather-treated lumber and some fall in between.
Commercial wire bin. This bin, sold through various sources, is square and measures three feet high and about five feet square. The wire is usually coated, and comes with a central wire tower used to aerate it. Many gardeners prefer not to use the tower.
Tumblers. There are several different types of tumblers, and all are widely available.
Plastic “drawer” bins. These are smaller bins. Some are made of recycled plastic, and come in various configurations.
There are other types of bins, some merely large recycled plastic containers into which waste and debris can be placed.
Tools you’ll need
A garden fork or a pitchfork. Each gardener has a preference of one over the other. Both accomplish the same thing and either works as well. Use the fork to turn your compost pile, or to move waste from a wheelbarrow or other container to the compost bin.
A leaf rake. This is to help you rake up leaves, grass clippings and other organic materials.
Wheelbarrow or other container. Use this to carry debris to the compost bin and finished compost back to your garden.
A compost pile aerator. There are several types commercially available.
Sifter. This is a screened box much the same as archeologists use to sift soil taken from a dig. In this case, the wire grids are larger. Rest the screen over a wheelbarrow, bucket or other container. Fill it with compost and sift the compost through the contraption. The soil-compost that falls into the container is the best part of the compost.
Related articles include:
Soil - The Living Layer of Earth
